Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Hany Mahmoud stated that the main priorities MCIT strives to implement in the near future are attracting more local and foreign investments and developing local demand within ICT sector. This is to help Small and Medium- Sized Enterprises (SMEs) regain their pivotal role in the Egyptian community, lost in post-revolution events.
The statement took place during the Sohour ceremony organized by the Chamber of ICT industry. The Sohour was attended by His Excellency, minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Hany Mahmoud, the chairman of the Chamber, Mr. Hesham Sanad, along with 200 executive managers of international and Egyptian IT companies who are members of the chamber and MCIT leaders as well.
In his speech, Mr. Hany Mahmoud notes that he will hold an expanded meeting with international companies located in Egypt right after the Bairam feast, to discuss their future plans for post-revolution Egypt.
Additionally, the meeting is to study attracting new investments, as well as expanding the existing ones, thus creating more job opportunities for youth in this vital sector.
Furthermore, His Excellency denotes that MCIT seeks to adopt innovative solutions in the near future to solve problems of the Egyptian SMEs. Obstacles facing SMEs during the Revolution time are represented in business reduction within ICT sector and delays of due payments for companies at the Ministry.
Owing to the circumstances Egypt is going through and the lack of an elected Parliament, Mr. Mahmoud says that the legislation bundles have not been concluded yet such as the new communication law, freedom of information exchange, information security and protecting the confidentiality of personal data.
Personal data confidentiality is a major prerequisite of the international companies, banks and institutions to invest in the Egyptian market and open new markets especially in the field of call centers. In this context, Mr. Mahmoud adds that efforts are currently underway to complete the legislative structure in order to present it to the council of ministers for submission before the next Parliament.
In his speech, MCIT minister discusses the five main pivots for the ICT sector in the next phase, among which are attracting new local or foreign investments within the ICT sector, hence providing youth with job opportunities.
Upon instructions of the Prime Minister, the pivots shall include supporting the MCIT creativity and innovation strategy, to utilize IT tools in solving problems of the Egyptian citizens. Mr. Hany Mahmoud has opined that the Egyptian youth are capable of creativity based on one condition that they have the full opportunity.
In addition, work pivots entail supporting large organizations such as Telecom Egypt and Egypt Post, supporting initiatives and projects in progress, the most important of which is the broadband services.
Broadband services contribute to Egypt’s technological shift and enabling Egypt’s access to the African market. Such a matter shall provide further opportunities for Egyptian companies to access these promising markets hungry for Egyptian technology, as well as concluding a number of agreements in various IT fields.
On his part, the chairman of the Chamber of ICT Industry, Mr. Hesham Sanad, has reviewed around 14 portfolios, comprising the requirements of IT companies to regain demand in the IT sector. On top of these requirements are: the legislative structure, pay the companies’ amount overdue at the governmental bodies, develop the local demand, expand the training process for human calibers, support SMEs and technology exports.
Knowing that the technology is the engine of development for economy and service sectors, Mr. Sanad has added that he trusts that the cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and IT companies, particularly the estimated 700 member companies of ICT industry chamber will serve as a model for all sectors.
